title: Probing gene function in thymic epithelial cells.
abstract: Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) provide a highly specialized microenvironment for the generation of a functional and self-tolerant T cell repertoire. Much of our current view of TEC biology is derived from gain- or loss-of-function approaches, which have significantly contributed to our understanding of gene function in TEC development and T cell repertoire selection. Here, we will review transgenic and viral strategies that have been used to manipulate gene expression in TECs, highlight some of the shortcomings of particular currently available tools and provide a brief outline of our own attempts to more rapidly and/or more specifically assess gene function in TECs.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Immunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Goethestrasse 31, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aichinger
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hinterberger
authors.forename: Ludger
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Klein
mesh_terms: D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D019070:Cell Lineage; D060833:Cellular Microenvironment / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D061167:Central Tolerance / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000276:immunology*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D055785:Gene Knockdown Techniques; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006801:Humans; D016086:Lentivirus / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D008967:Molecular Biology / Q000379:methods*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D046509:Tissue Culture Techniques
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering